Post Holiday

Whew, it was quite a week! Tuesday we packed up the kiddos and flew (yes, I actually got on an airplane with two small children) to my in-laws’ for Thanksgiving. I usually host the big meal here, but my mother-in-law recently had surgery and couldn’t fly, so up and away we went. Let me tell you, if you are planning on ever flying with children there are two things that you need; alcohol and small electronics. The alcohol was for me of course. The kids were perfectly happy with a portable DVD player and a gameboy (new gift from the grandparents). Thankfully it’s a quick flight and they were great both ways.

I knew I wouldn’t get much knitting in this week, but I do have progress on my cabled and beaded socks, a scarf and fulled slippers. The socks may be gifted, the scarf will most definitely be gifted, and the slippers are all mine.


Cabled and Beaded, first sock mostly done. I'll write up the pattern when I knit the mate.


Fuzzy Feet from knitty. I loved the way these looked on this blog, so I grabbed some SWS from Michaels. I loved the feel of the yarn and the colors were beautiful, so I ran out and grabbed some more for a scarf in the pinks colorway (which is only a little pink).

Pattern: My So Called Scarf
This will be going to the kindergarten teacher, but I may have to make a second for myself.

Before I go, I’d like to share the baby girl’s new cheese face (as in “say cheese”).





It’s great to be home.

One pair down

One quick gift out of the way, the Fetching Mitts from the Summer '06 Knitty. I recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a quick gift. I started on Monday and finished on Tuesday.

These are going to my son's bus driver. Maybe after Christmas I'll knit a pair for myself.

Next on the list is a pair of socks for the kindergarten teacher. I was thinking something cabled and beaded, but I haven't found a pattern yet. Any suggestions?

1000 hours until Christmas (more or less)

I figured out that I have the following projects to finish before Christmas:

1. For myself: Last Minute Knitted Gifts Hourglass Sweater (actually I want to finish by Thanksgiving)
2. Gift: Socks for kindergarten teacher
3. Gift: Socks for kindergarten teacher's aide
4. Gift: Fetching mitts for bus driver
5. Gift: Fingering weight stole for Mother-in-Law
6. Gift: Argyle socks for Father-in-Law
7. Gift: Felted bag for favorite aunt
8: For Baby Girl: knitted hat.

In the 1000 hours between now and Christmas, how many hours are actually knittable (yes it’s a word). Because there are a bunch of things that get in the way of my knitting. And, let’s face it folks, I’m no Gina.

Here's the progress on the sweater:

As you can see, I have most of one sleeve to complete and the rest of the bodice. Am I being unrealistic? Should I put away the sweater and start some of the gifts? I'm afraid if I put it away it'll never be finished.

Oh, what to do?

Still Reeling

from this past weekend at the Grand View Lodge in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. The Manch-Vegas knitters converged upon this poor, unsuspecting lodge with voracious yarn appetites and alcohol. The weekend was rated pg-13 for partial nudity and strong language.

(left to right on stairs) Gigi, Caroline, Amy, Lora, Laurin
(left to right standing) me, Ericka, Gina, Lisa
(left to right kneeling) Heather and Sarah

There was much laughter, singing, and a few tears. Just for the stories alone I would have gone (I for one, will never again enter a Friendly's without thinking of the lovely Laurin). You know you're in a great group when at least one person has on speed dial a loved one who is willing to google "jogless join" at 12:30 am. (Thanks Ericka and Chris.)

We had a new knitter, the very awesome Lisa who thought she'd get some scrapping done - ha! We are Knitters, you will assimilate.

Gina (go listen to her second podcast) had to rip out a sweater that she had about 12 inches of, then got back to where she was before she got home (that girl is FAST). Ericka also had to frog back some of her sweater which just broke my heart (I couldn't even ring the bell). Gigi finished an entire crocheted shawl out of frog tree alpaca that I just wanted to steal. Caroline turned her very first heel, and Lora tried Entrelac for the first time!

My one FO:

And modeled by my handsome boy:

Sarah was about the best driver I could imagine getting us up there in record time. Even on the way home we hit a huge traffic jam and she got off at the next exit and got us around it.

All in all, a very good time indeed.